Bryan Patrick Miller

Bryan Patrick Miller
Born1972 (age 52–53)
United States
Other namesThe Zombie Hunter, The Canal Killer
ConvictionsFirst-degree murder (2 counts)
Attempted sexual assault (2 counts)
Kidnapping (2 counts)
Criminal penaltyDeath
Details
Victims2–3+
Span of crimes
1992–1993
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
Date apprehended
January 2015

Bryan Patrick Miller (born 1972), known as The Zombie Hunter or The Canal Killer, is an American man convicted of murdering two women along canals in Phoenix, Arizona, during the early 1990s. He evaded justice for more than 20 years until his arrest in 2015, when DNA evidence and forensic genealogy linked him to the cold cases.[1] In 2023, he was found guilty on multiple charges and sentenced to death.[2]

This was the first cold case solved through the use of investigative genetic genealogy.[3][4]

Early life

Miller was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. His childhood was reportedly abusive, particularly by his mother, Ellen, who worked as a detention officer.[5] In 1989, at age 16, Miller stabbed a woman at the Paradise Valley Mall and was placed in juvenile detention.[6][7] In 2002, he was arrested again in Washington for stabbing another woman, a crime he claimed was committed in self-defense.[8][9] He was married in the late 1990s and had a daughter in 2000, divorcing in 2006.[10]

"Zombie Hunter" persona

Miller became a well-known figure in local cosplay and sci-fi communities under the persona of "The Zombie Hunter."[11][6][9] He attended conventions and public events in a modified police car decorated with fake blood and steampunk gear.[9][12] He later said this identity helped him feel "less invisible to the world."[13]

Canal murders

Victims

  • Angela Brosso, 22 – Murdered on November 8, 1992. Her body was found decapitated and mutilated near the Arizona Canal in Phoenix. Her head was discovered 11 days later.[14][15]
  • Melanie Bernas, 17 – Killed in September 1993 and found in the same area. Her body bore stab wounds and ritualistic markings.[16]

Both women had been sexually assaulted. DNA collected from the crime scenes was eventually matched to Miller.[1]

Arrest and trial

In 2014, Colleen M. Fitzpatrick helped police narrow down the list of suspects to five men with the surname Miller.[17] In January 2015, police covertly collected a DNA sample from Bryan Miller at a Chili's restaurant,[18] which matched evidence from both murders. He was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault. Miller had been a suspect at the time of the murders, but not charged for lack of evidence.[6][19] Fitzpatrick believes this was the first cold case solved by genetic genealogy.[3]

Miller pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming he suffered from dissociative disorders stemming from childhood trauma. In January 2022, he was found competent to stand trial. [20][21] He waived his right to a jury trial, and in April 2023, he was found guilty by Superior Court Judge Suzanne Cohen.[22]

Sentencing

On June 7, 2023, Miller was sentenced to death for both murders, along with additional prison terms for related charges.[2] He is currently on death row at the Rincon Unit of the Arizona State Prison Complex – Tucson. His sentence triggers an automatic appeal.[23]

Miller gave interviews after sentencing in which he maintained he did not commit the murders and disagreed with defense experts who testified dissociative amnesia mean he could not remember anything about the murders.[24][25]

Other suspected crimes

Miller is suspected in the 1992 disappearance of 13-year-old Brandy Myers. He allegedly confessed to his ex-wife about abducting and dismembering a young girl matching Myers' description, though he has not been formally charged.[26][27] Phoenix Police recommended murder charges against Miller for the death of Myers, but the county attorney’s office under Bill Montgomery declined to prosecute.[28][29]

He is also believed to be involved in other stabbings and attacks dating back to his adolescence.[26][30]

Media

The case was featured in a 2023 episode of 48 Hours titled "Unmasking the Zombie Hunter".[31] The Dateline episode, “On the Hunt for The Zombie Hunter” also covers the case.[32] It has also been covered in the True Crime Arizona Podcast: The Zombie Hunter by KTVK.[33][34]

Detective Troy Hillman, the lead cold case detective, published a forthcoming book regarding the investigation.[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Schwartz, David (January 14, 2015). "Arizona man arrested in grisly 1990s murders of two young women". Reuters. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b Tanet, John (June 7, 2023). "Phoenix's 'Canal Killer' sentenced to death 30 years after murders". 12NBC. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b Feder, Toni (2020-04-09). "Q&A: Colleen Fitzpatrick, a physicist who cracks cold murder cases". Physics Today. 2020 (4): 0409a. doi:10.1063/PT.6.4.20200409a.
  4. ^ "Forensic genealogist helped solve Phoenix canal murder cold cases". 12NBC. KPNX. November 30, 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  5. ^ Van Sant, Peter (July 13, 2024). "Arizona Zombie Hunter's unique murder defense: His mother created a monster". 48 Hours. CBS News. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Cassidy, Megan (November 19, 2015). "Phoenix police: Man arrested in 1990s canal murders". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  7. ^ Whitney, Briana (October 11, 2022). "Victim describes 1989 'Zombie Hunter' stabbing attack during trial". AZFamily. 3TV/CBS 5. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  8. ^ Tang, Terry (January 15, 2015). "Suspect in Phoenix cold cases was acquitted in 2002 assault". Washington Times. Archived from the original on 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Christie, Joe (16 January 2015). "Delivery man by day, vigilante zombie hunter at the wheel of a decommissioned police car by night". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  10. ^ Sainty, Lane (May 16, 2023). "Canal killings trial: Bryan Miller's daughter was 'everything' to him, court hears". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  11. ^ Jensen, Bill (November 1, 2015). "Seeing Zombies". Phoenix Magazine. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Miller at FearCon". phoenixfearcon.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  13. ^ Sainty, Lane (January 18, 2023). "Canal Killer trial: Defendant used costume to feel 'less invisible,' expert testifies". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  14. ^ Whitney, Briana (October 4, 2022). "Boyfriend testifies, detective describes victim's mutilated body in Phoenix Canal Killer case". AZFamily. 3TV/CBS 5. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  15. ^ Dana, Joe (January 29, 2015). "22 years as 'the boyfriend' to canal killing victim". 12News. KPNX. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  16. ^ Lane, Sainty (October 5, 2022). "Canal killings: At Miller trial, mother recalls the last night she saw her daughter alive". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  17. ^ Cassidy, Megan (2016-11-30). "How forensic genealogy led to an arrest in the Phoenix 'Canal Killer' case". azcentral. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  18. ^ LaRosa, Paul (July 10, 2024). "48 HOURS How an undercover sting at a Phoenix Chili's restaurant led to the capture of canal killer". 48 Hours. CBS News. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  19. ^ Renner, James (2018-11-07). "The True Story of Two Women Using DNA to Solve America's Most Puzzling Cold Cases". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  20. ^ Korpar, Lora (January 6, 2022). "Judge Rejects Insanity Plea for Man Charged in Killings of 2 Women Nearly 30 Years Ago". Newsweek. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  21. ^ Billeaud, Jacques (January 7, 2022). "Former Everett stabbing suspect cleared for trial in Arizona killings". Herald Net. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Judge finds Bryan Patrick Miller guilty in 'canal killings' trial". 12News. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  23. ^ State v. Miller, CR-23-0157-AP
  24. ^ LaRosa, Paul (July 13, 2024). "48 HOURS Convicted killer known as the Zombie Hunter says life on death row is cold, food is "not great"". 48 Hours. CBS News. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  25. ^ Whitney, Briana (March 13, 2024). "Candid conversations from death row with 'The Zombie Hunter'". AZ Family. 3TV/CBS 5. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  26. ^ a b Bagni, Adam (April 8, 2018). "Woman says Phoenix 'Canal Killer' murdered her sister in 1992, now she's taking action". NBC12. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  27. ^ Cassidy, Megan (November 17, 2015). "Police: 3rd victim may be linked to canal murder suspect". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  28. ^ Whitney, Briana. "Ex-Phoenix detective reveals shocking details unheard in the Zombie Hunter trial". AZ Family. 3TV/CBS 5. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Valley woman believes she's found the man responsible for her sister's disappearance 27 years ago". FOX 10. March 13, 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  30. ^ Whitney, Briana (September 4, 2023). "Exclusive look into unsolved 1992 Phoenix murder of 16-year-old Shannon Aumock". Arizona's Family. 3TV/CBS 5. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  31. ^ "48 Hours: Unmasking the Zombie Hunter". Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  32. ^ Morrison, Keith (October 31, 2023). "Watch the Dateline episode, "On the Hunt for The Zombie Hunter" now". Dateline. NBC News. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  33. ^ Whitney, Briana. "True Crime Arizona Podcast: The Zombie Hunter". AZFamily. 3TV/CBS 5. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  34. ^ True Crime Arizona Podcast: The Zombie Hunter playlist on Youtube
  35. ^ Hillman, Troy, Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter
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